Beauty and Wellbeing Crushes: Hairfree Centre, Superb Makeup Artists, Jojoba Company Prodz.

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Hello! Did we all enjoy the past week? I hope so 🙂 I’m finding that beauty & wellbeing crushes keep flying at me from all angles… which I guess can only be a good thing, lets jump into this weeks loves shall we?

1. Wonderful Makeup Artists

I find it can be a bit intimidating going up to a gorgeous looking makeup artist in a department store, when you’ve just been working all day, not a speck of makeup left on your face and a fresh zit popping out to say hello to the world. Not to mention the hard sell. Lately I’ve had two fantastic experiences that I’d love to share.

♥ MAC Makeup Counter, David Jones Perth City – I went in here looking for a red lippy that I’d seen my friend pull off beautifully the weekend prior, a lovely girl happily tried on a few colours on me to find the most suitable one and then when I mentioned I was looking for a new foundation too, she tested those and then provided me with two generous sized samples (each lasted about 5 full face applications!). I will DEFINITELY be going back and picking up my new best-match liquid foundation (MAC Studio Sculpt NW 15).

♥ Jane Iredale Makeup, Skin Resus Floreat – a mineral makeup virgin, I went in not sure what to expect. I had such a great experience which you can read more about here! It’s so nice when you find one place you love, let alone two!

2. Hairfree Centre

Having IPL/SPL is definitely one of the best things I’ve done to lower the amount of time I spend on grooming maintenance. While so far I’ve only had my abdomen, bikini line & underarms intense pulse light-ed, I would love to have my upper legs done too! It’s just so convenient! Tell me, have you had it done? I have a bunch of $50 off for your first session vouchers to giveaway for Hairfree Centre in Subiaco, so email me with your address if you’d like one sent out to you, I’d love to share the joy!

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3. The Jojoba Company Prods

I lurve jojoba! I think I have been quite vocal about this in the past. Most nights after a shower I will massage a few drops into my face and wake up with supple skin, however if I use too much, suppleness quickly becomes oiliness. The great thing about these products is the gorgeous packaging design, besides looking like a little like a giant pear drop, the pump is such that you can really control how much product comes out and therefore tread the tender line between glowing and greasy. A big fav of mine!

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4. Benefit Positetint

Alright, I almost can’t rave about this one enough. This is one of the most excellent cheek tint products I’ve come across to suit pale skins, aka, moi. The container/application technique is initially bizarre, you paint a couple of thin lines of fluoro pink nailpolish-esque liquid onto each cheek, then blend.

Unique application aside, this baby has earned itself a position in my “must always own” list due to it’s ability to last all day without reapplication. Even if you only apply a little like I do, one line, the subtle pink will be there when you come home at night, even when the rest of your makeup has long since packed up and left home (your face).

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5. Burts Bees Tinted Lip Balm

I have been loving these sweet slicks of colour which contain an abundance of fab ingredients, including olive oil, coconut oil & vege oil. They come in the dreamiest range of shades, my current faves are hibiscus and rose (pictured above) and they are perfecto for everyday use, when you don’t want something TOO over the top, but you still want a lil sumin sumin on your lips. My only qualm with this crush is that it unfortunately contains lanolin (fat from sheeps wool) which I personally prefer to avoid due to lamb love, so Burt’s Bees, you lose a couple of points there – nix the lanolin and you’ll have me as a lifetime devotee of this product!

Be well my cuties!

Annette

xoxo

Posted in Cheap / Free, Reviews, Wellness Tips | 4 Comments »

Budget Beauty: Chux Microfibre Cloth for Exfoliation and Smooth Skin!

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Another budget beauty product that I have read about on the Vogue Forum is the microfibre cloth. According to my research (read: Google and Vogue Forum), microfibre cloths are able to eliminate oil, cleanse makeup with just water, exfoliate skin and deep clean pores. Plus, the household microfibre cleaning cloths are a LOT cheaper than the beauty specific ones and still get the job done. Needless to say, I was hooked! I just had to try them out.

As I have mentioned in my previous article, my skin isn’t the greatest. Unfortunately, I am not one those girls blessed with naturally perfect, glowing skin – mine is oily, prone to break outs unless I am very disciplined in my cleansing regime, with large pores and rough patches.

So, I toddled down to my local supermarket and found a microfibre cloth in the household cleaning aisle. That night, I decided to try it out. I wet my face, wet a corner of the cloth and massaged it over my face in soft, circular motions. Let me tell you right now, the cloth really delivers! It managed to clean ALL of my makeup off (moisturiser, primer, foundation, blush, eyeliner, mascara and concealer) with just water. No harsh rubbing and it took barely any time at all. After, I toned with witch hazel and there was no makeup residue on the cotton pad – none! At all! Even when I cleanse with Cetaphil, there is still usually a bit left. The cloth managed to get right down into my pores and sweep everything off.

In addition to removing all my makeup, the cloth also eliminated the oil from my face (not long term – it was back the next day) and my skin was left feeling very soft and smooth. The cloth acted as a very gentle exfoliant. In fact, it is so gentle that I feel comfortable using it everyday – there is no redness, rubbing or scratching. As the cloth is quite large, I have been using various corners of it so far, but once I have run out of clean patches I will just chuck it in the washing machine and voila! Good as new. Love it.

Cloth in packaging (so you can spot it in the shops!)

The Nitty Gritty

Cost:
$4.72 for Chux All Purpose Microfibre Cloth (pack of one)

Pros:
cheap as chips!
instant results
feels great during and after
re-useable

Cons:
results aren’t AMAZING OH MY GOD THIS IS A MIRACLE, but still really good

Recommended Usage:
I think that it would be totally fine to use the cloth everyday – I certainly am and haven’t noticed any adverse effects so far.

Rating:
4.5 / 5

Review by Cassandra, beauty lover on a student budget and Pilbara correspondent!

Be well,

xoxo

Posted in Cheap / Free, Products, Reviews | 2 Comments »

Spa Review: Health and Spa at Brookleigh, Swan Valley.

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A day at a day spa… the scene was set with a perfect, blue-skied, almost winter day with a latte, Johnny Cash bellowing poetry on the speakers and my GPS pointing me in the wrong direction.

When heading out to the dreamy wonderland of Brookleigh – don’t trust your Sat Nav, people! Fortunately, I knew Brookleigh was next to Belvoir Amphitheatre and a lot closer than the GPS suggested. And it’s a problem the owners of Brookleigh have dealt with a lot, so get your directions clear before you hit the road unless you want a 45-minute detour.

So, back to the blue skies, latte and Johnny Cash… I arrived feeling pretty peaced-out and ready to relax. I met the wellness consultant and personal trainer, Rachel and owner Nikki on arrival and was impressed by how healthy they both looked. Both had glowing skin, very fit bodies and huge smiles… these were happy people and I was ready to discover the secret to their sunshine.

A Brookleigh horse

My day began with a personal training session with Rachel. We jogged past the beautiful horse stables (Brookleigh started out as an equestrian centre and still is an Olympic training venue), the chateau where the spa resides and guests stay and a “roundabout” which is a gorgeous, meditation-style garden.

Roundabout

We kept on joggin’ past all of these beauties and out the back of the property where an “obstacle course” awaits. It’s also an equestrian training area but nicely doubles as a people fitness area too. The jumps were utilised as push up, dip and sit up stations while a trotting area was used for some punishing sprints (it was here the heart rate monitor I had to wear really betrayed me, sounding like a hideous alarm going off as if warning everyone I was about to drop dead).

After the PT workout, we stretched by the small lake where Brookleigh hosts weddings every weekend throughout October to May. You can see why, with a quaint gazebo overlooking the lake which is perfect for the ceremony to take place. Huge trees, the neighing of horses and the surrounding paddocks combine to make you feel as though you are far, far from civilisation.

Next up was the spa treatment. I met with the lovely consultant, Lisa, and discussed facial options and confessed my skin woes. Breakouts in certain areas were plaguing me and I definitely needed help. I was treated to a lime sugar exfoliation to start, which sloughed off any dead skin on my legs. Despite Lisa warning me it might hurt a little as the sugar did its job, the scrubbing felt just right and my skin was glowing by the time it finished. The smell of lime was delicious. The massage was next and thankfully Lisa applied just the right pressure for the knots in my muscles to be erased while sending me into a state of utter bliss. Despite trying very hard not to, I also fell asleep in the later stages but I guess it’s a sign of ultimate relaxation so I tried not to beat myself up about it too much.

Guinot Facial @ Brookleigh.

The facial did wonders for my skin. Brookleigh has either Guinot or the local, organic range Joi Pure. Despite trialling Joi Pure previously and knowing it was delicious, my skin was in need for something a little stronger and Guinot was enlisted. I had the classic facial and Lisa used a peel around the troubled areas to break up the congestion. Despite my skin glowing afterwards, it was also a tad red and it wasn’t until a couple of days later that I really noticed the benefits. My skin really cleared up and it totally confirmed what I’d suspected all along… I need to be getting regular facials.

To complete the day spa package, I had lunch at Stewart’s Restaurant which is also a part of Brookleigh. Stewart’s is one of the best restaurants in the Swan Valley and has plenty of healthy options to complement the day spas and health retreats that are on offer. I had the salmon with roasted beetroot and pumpkin with a lemon sauce and holy yum, it was sensational. And post-meal, I felt as though my body was being further nourished rather than overly-full like you might at many of the wineries boasting first class restaurants in the area.

Urban Spoon rsetaurant rating:

Nikki and Rachel mentioned the three and five-day health retreats now on offer and I think they sound fabulous. Half a day out at Brookleigh and I felt rejuvenated and as though I’d been much further from Perth than the 45-minute drive it was.

If you’re looking for a girls’ weekend (classy hens’ weekends would be perfect there), doing something for your health or simply a getaway from the daily grind without travelling too far, Brookleigh is the place you’re looking for.

Check out their website to see enticing pics and more info, call (08) 9296 0018 or email Nikki or Rachel on info@brookleigh.com.au.

Brookleigh is located at 1235 Great Northern Highway,
 Upper Swan in the Swan Valley.

Article by Lisa O’neill, Freelance Journalist and Brookleigh’s newest devotee!

Posted in Alternative Therapy, Day Spa, Dining, Exercise, Food, Massage, North of River, Organic, Reviews | 1 Comment »

Beauty and Wellbeing Routine: Lisa Scaffidi, Lord Mayor – City of Perth.

Lord Mayor of Perth, Lisa Scaffidi.

♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!

I am Perth born and bred. Happily married to Joe, I have many wonderful friends and a great role so my life is very fulfilled. I live in East Perth and think we are so lucky to live in Perth and WA.

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

I always cleanse and tone my skin as best I can and use a variety of products. I am not a slave to any particular product, but do always use moisturiser and try to keep to a regular routine. I use Apricot Scrub every two weeks.

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♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?

Probably a massage and I have a lady Heather who comes to my house. I occasionally have a foot massage at Chi Body Spirit in Carillon.

♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?

My hair is done at Head Studio in King Street by Marie and Shane.

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

A sleep in or a quiet pot of herbal tea while sitting in the sunshine on my balcony!

♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

Probably Johnson and Johnson Cleansing wipes, Natio Toner and Clarins Moisturiser.

♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?

Attitude – I tell myself I am not tired when I am and aim to drink more fluids each day.

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♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)

Time is against me, but I am keen to start Yoga (Ashtanga) classes soon.

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Erratic. I always have muesli and coffee at home but given I attend so many events I do too often rely on the canapé diet as I refer to it and really look forward to my days off to eat food I choose for myself rather than what is served to me at the many events I go to….although it can be lovely, choosing what you want to eat is too!

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

Not as I would like it – but I do get in quite a bit of walking.

♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.

No

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♥ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?

I relax by having a massage or watching TV or simply cooking a meal at home and sometimes if I am really lucky a little afternoon nap! (only occasionally on weekends)

Thanks so much to our Lord Mayor for taking time out of her incredibly busy schedule to take part in our interview! I hope you enjoyed reading it 🙂

Be well,

xoxo

Posted in Interviews | 4 Comments »

Beauty and Wellbeing Crushes: 7 Day Green Smoothie Challenge, Natural Epsom Salts and Weekend Yoga.

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1. 7 day green smoothie challenge

This past week I undertook a challenge to see what difference (if any) drinking a green smoothie each day for one week would make to my life. UNFORTUNATELY! I fell off the wagon a few days in, I’m definitely not perfect and nor do I claim to be 🙂 I did however drink a lot more of them than I usually would (4-5) in one week, and I have to be honest I’m feeling pretty darn good. I recently found out about the necessity of rotating your greens when making these type of smoothies, and I have to say I am amazed that nature is so clever. Click that link and read all about why it’s best to rotate… I’m sure it will amaze you as it did me!

In light of that I’ve been flirting with cos (romaine) lettuce in lieu of spinach and kale this week, and LOVING it!

Cos lettuce, blueberry & cashew smoothie.

1 x cup of frozen blueberries
4-6 x medium sized washed cos lettuce leaves
1/2 x cup of raw cashews
2 x cups of water
Optional: 1 x banana

Blend for 1-2 minutes. Will make enough for 2-3 big cups. I find this smoothie incredibly refreshing and it’s absolutely my new favourite, mmmm! Recommended!

2. Echolife Clay Cleansers

I lurrrrve the way this clay makes my face feel. It’s very different to cleansers I’ve gotten used to, being that it’s a lump of wiggly clay in a glass jar, but I take a 10c piece sized amount, rub it into my hands with water and then massage all over my face. It’s perfect for my skin type which is combination – few dry bits, few oily bits, few pimply bits – I’m certainly not blessed in that department. After only a few days of using this I’m already addicted and I love that it’s so natural, I’m really getting back to basics with skincare at the moment, so after cleansing I press a few drops of rosehip or jojoba oil into my face while it’s still damp, for a double hit of natural goodness!

There is also another version I like to use, that contains castor oil, for when my skin is feeling a bit drier (hello winter!).

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3. Toasted cereal topping

This stuff. What can I say? It has transformed my breakfasts in the morning. I put a teaspoon of this wonder-mix, which contains organic raw linseed, sesame seeds, buckwheat, sunflower kernels, almonds and cinnamon. It’s gluten free, no added oils, sugar or salt, GMO free.

I stumbled across it one day at Farmer Jacks, Subiaco and haven’t looked back since. It gives an awesome nutty crunch and texture to my porridge in the morning and it just feels so -good- knowing that I’m getting that extra bit of easy nutrition to start my morning off the right way. I also sprinkle it into my smoothies and it gives it a really interesting flavour kick.

There are heaps of other rad products by the brand, Real Good Food, such as mixes with goji and blueberries, rice porridges, delicious looking trail mixes and MORE! Ps. I’m not getting paid to promote these! I just found them randomly and LOVE the prods, so want to share my joy!

Me at yoga… hah! Nah, it’s number one yogini babe, Kathryn Budig. Crushin’.

4. Sunday Yoga

A couple of weeks ago I took part in a generally unheard of activity… exercise, on a Sunday.

It was amazing! Admittedly, I felt a little smug as I was doing sun salutation after sun salutation when many people would still be in bed nursing a hangover from the night before. I quickly got over that and realised I was doing it for ME, not trying to be better than anyone else. It was a great note to end the week on, and I’m looking forward to it again soon.

The Yoga Company near the Subi train station (across from the road from Wagamama) do Sunday classes, if anyone knows anywhere else that does Sunday yoga, please leave a comment!

Just a couple of links for you this week… we’ve been too busy organising some excellent new competitions to browse too many other websites, but do let us know if you’ve come across anything interesting on your travels! 😉

Linkies:

♥ Foods that promote collagen production
♥ Foods that can help relieve stress

Past week n a bit:

♥ We checked out some superfoods that go ON your body, not just in!
♥ Green Smoothies: A new kind of beauty therapy – one of our most popular articles of all time!
♥ Beauty and wellbeing routine: Ashlea Ingham, Model & Miss Universe Australia Contestant!
♥ Planet Eve Organics – another ab-fab Aussie organic brand, LOVE!
♥ Say bye bye to cranky winter skin!
♥ We reviewed Bikram Yoga in Scarborough to see if we’d survive…
♥ Beauty and wellbeing routine: Lauren, Beauty on the Grove this lass is only 26 and already owns her own salon. What a go getter!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo
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Posted in Wellness Tips | 8 Comments »